Fixture for use in a suspended grid ceiling system



Feb. 4, 1969 E. BARANOWSKI I 3,423, 88

I FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Filed NOV. 5, 1966Sheet. of 5 INVENTOR EUGENE BARANOWSKI BY 1%, ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1969 E.BARANOWSKI FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Filed Nov.'3, 1966 Sheet 2 of? INVENTOR EUGENE BARANOWSKI a ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 969 IE. BARANOWSKI 3,426,188

FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM Filed. Nov. 5. 1966Sheet 3 of 3 FIG. 4

INVENTOR EUGENE BARANOWSK! BY MMZW ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofice3,426,188 FIXTURE FOR USE IN A SUSPENDED GRID CEILING SYSTEM EugeneBaranowski, Forestville, Conn., assignor to Integrated Systems, Inc.,Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Nov. 3, 1966, Ser.No. 591,837 US. Cl. 240-9 Claims Int. Cl. F215 1/02, 3/02 ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE This invention pertains generally to ceiling lightingsystems of the type wherein lighting fixtures are coved or spacedupwardly in cathedraled areas above the general flatwise extent of theceiling per se. The subject matter of the present disclosure is relatedto and covers improvements in that of prior United States applicationsSer. No. 411,297, filed Nov. 16, 1964 now Patent No. 3,343,310, and Ser.No. 462,381, filed June 8, 1965 now Patent No. 3,343,309.

This invention :briefly relates to a suspended ceiling li hting orelectrical fixture mount assembly with existing or conventional T-barsupport means and including, without limitation, a frame engageable inany selected one of the T-bar grid openings in place of the normallyseated ceiling panel thereof.

A basic objective of the present invention resides in the provision ofimproved means for mounting of coved fixtures in a ceiling system toreduce the time required for original installation and replacement, andto reduce measurably the skill and experience level demanded of theinstaller. Otherwise stated, it is the purpose of the present inventionto provide a covered fixture mount which is adapted for installation inmuch the same manner as a conventional ceiling tile.

A further objective resides in the supply of units interchangeable atrandom or in preselected pattern forms with the ceiling tiles, wherebylighting engineers are given maximized versatility of design in thedisposition of the units in a particular ceiling, and One whereinoriginal design does not become a fixed commitment inasmuch as the unitsare easily moved or interchanged following initial placement.

Further objectives include the provision of modular units composed ofhousing and light fixture assemblies of standard dimension for useinterchangeably with ceiling units; one wherein the materials offabrication are readily available and of low cost; and one requiring nospecial tools for installation.

Still another objective concerns the formation of a coved fixture mountwherein the side walls of the coved portion are of ceiling board whichserves as a sound reflector thereby increasing the acoustical value ofthe ceiling. Optionally, heating, air transfer, or reflective metalpanels may be employed for said side walls to good advantage.

Yet another object is to provide a fixture housing usable either with orwithout a light diffuser.

3,426,188 Patented Feb. 4, 1969 Additional objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art uponconsideration of the following specification, when read in conjunctionwith the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partially exploded, showing a first formof ceiling assembly constructed and assembled in accordance with theteachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on thesection line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken substantially onthe section line 33 of FIGURE 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing a modification; and

FIGURE 5 is a detail, transverse sectional view, on line 55 of FIGURE 4,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, and initially to the form ofthe invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, a ceiling assembly of thetype herein under consideration is shown and generally designated byreference numeral 18. The assembly 10 is characterized by a grid supportsystem 12 mounted in overhead relation in a conventional manner. Thegrid system 12 is composed of a plurality of laterally spaced,longitudinal inverted T-bars 14 and intersecting, transverse invertedT-bars 16. These T-bars include base portions 18 which provide ledges onthe opposing side thereof, and have upstanding leg members 20 whichserve to separate the ledge members and to divide the grid intosegments. Slip means 22 are employed at each of the intersections of thetransverse and longitudinal T-bars whereby the bars are connected attheir intersections. A plurality of panels 24 of tile material fill thespaces of the grid, resting on the opposing ledge members of the system.These panels are preferably precut in standard dimensions and are merelydropped in place following installation of the grid system, Theforegoing is conventional in the art and is herein described forreference in setting forth the environment of the invention.

For the mounting of a lighting fixture (described below) in coved,upwardly spaced relation to the general flatwise extent of the gridsystem 12 and its panels 24, the present invention provides a fixturehousing 26. The housing 26 has, as its basic component, a frame 28 ofmetallic construction including longitudinal side pieces 30 each havingan angular, inwardly directed foot member 32 and a substantiallyvertical leg member 34. At each of the ends of the side pieces 30, anangular or slanted end element 36 is integrally or otherwise fixedlysecured thereto in the manner best shown in FIGURE 1. The end elementseach include an inward arm 38 and a vertical portion 40. The distal endportions 42 of the end elements are rebent to extend inwardly, and therespective pairs of end elements are covered by end plates or covers 44of substantially triangular form which are fixed thereto in such manneras to connect the frame assembly in a unitary structure, and to encloseits ends. It will be observed in the drawing that the end plates 44 havecut-out sections 46 at their apex portions for a purpose describedbelow. It is also to be noted in the drawing that both the end plates 44and the angular end elements 36 are inwardly offset as at 48 adjacenttheir lower ends to provide for the proper mounting thereof between thetransverse T-bars 16 in the grid system. I

The frame 28 further comprises a pair of top braces 50 forming toplongitudinal fixture box supports comprising two spaced rails eachhaving a substantially vertical post 52 with a top head 54 thereon. Thebraces further include longitudinal inner and outer flanges 56, 58, and

3 as best seen in FIGURE 2, the brace may be formed by bending of aunitary blank of material.

At least two transverse cover straps 60 interconnect the top braces andhave main sections 62 which span the distance between the vertical posts52 and are connected to the inward flanges 56. The straps further haveend cars 64 connected to the posts 52, and each has a depending,threaded post 66. A fluorescent fixture or similar electrical apparatus68 is provided and includes a substantially rectangular fixture box 70containing electrical wiring and/or other apparatus and having a top 72,sides 74 and ends 76. Bulb mounts 78 depend from the ends of the box ateach end thereof and as shown in FIGURE 2, the box is adapted to restupon the straps 60. The box is initially mounted without the bulbs 80 ofthe fixture in place, whereby the bulb mounts 78 extend below thestraps. An

elongated, generally rectangular fixture cover 82 having upturned endportions 83 is provided, and the cover 82 has openings formed therein toreceive the posts 66. Fasteners 84 are then employed to connect thefixture cover in place, and thereafter, the bulbs 80 are installed inthe usual manner. If desired, a light diffusing apparatus may be hingedor otherwise connected beneath the bulbs.

An important feature of the invention which permits the non-complex andrapid installation of the housing is a plurality of grid clip elements86 of substantially U-shape having a bight portion 88, a short leg 90connected to the vertical leg member of the side piece, and a long leg92 adapted for engagement about the opposing pairs of longitudinalT-bars supplies the means whereby the housing is readily mounted. Asbest seen in FIGURE 1, the clips permit the uncomplicated installationof the housing in any selected one of the grids. The housings may bemounted in side by side order, in saw tooth configuration or in anyother selected pattern.

The housing assembly is finally completed by the location of ceilingpanels 94 in the space defined by the side pieces, end elements and topbraces. These panels are merely dropped in place, and maintained bygravity, there being no additional connection means required for theirsatisfactory mounting.

It is to be observed that all of the components of this assembly withrespect to the frame per se are of conventional type, and that this unitmay be easily installed in existing grid systems without anymodification whatsoever of the grid system or its mounting means.

In FIGURES 4 and 5, a modified form of the invention is shown which issimilar to that heretofore described. This form of the inventionessentially differs in that no top braces are provided. Instead, anintegral fixture box and top connection means 100 of rectangular form isprovided and has its ends 102 fixedly secured to the end elements 36a ofthe frame 28a. The box includes side flanges 104 for mounting of panels94a and includes internal cover straps 60a with posts 66a forassociation of the fixture cover 82a therewith.

The operation and advantages of this form of the invention remain asheretofore described.

Having described and illustrated two forms of the invention in somedetail, it will be understood that these descriptions and illustrationshave been offered only by way of example, and that the invention is tobe limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination, with an overhead ceiling grid structure whichincludes a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinal inverted T-barsand intersecting transverse inverted T-bars, each T-bar having a ledgeon each of its opposing sides, of a lighting fixture and a housingtherefor adapted for the spacing of the lighting fixture upwardly fromthe general flatwise extent of the grid system, the lighting fixture andhousing comprising:

a frame including longitudinal side pieces;

the frame further including angular end elements;

end plates secured to the end elements;

a pair of top braces secured to the end elements;

ceiling panel means engaged between the side pieces,

ends elements and top braces;

clip means connecting the side pieces to the T-bars;

cover straps interconnecting the top braces at spaced locations;

a fixture box dimensioned for disposition between the top braces andhaving bulb mounts depending therefrom;

bulbs mounted in the bulb mounts;

a fixture cover mounted between the bulbs and the straps; and

changeable fastening means connecting the cover and the straps.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the end plates and end elements are offset for engagement about thetransverse T-bars.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the changeable fastening means comprise a post depending from thestraps;

the fixture covers having openings therein through which the posts areextended; and

means engaging the posts to lock the cover in place.

4. The combination, with a ceiling grid structure which includes aplurality of laterally spaced, longitudinal bars and transverse bars,each bar having ledge means thereon and the grid structure having ageneral flatwise extent, of a fixture and housing therefor adapted forthe spacing of the fixture upwardly from the general flatwise extent ofthe grid structure, the fixture and housing comprising:

a substantially rectangular frame including side pieces;

the frame further including slanted end elements extending above theside pieces;

top longitudinal fixture box supports comprising two spaced railssecured to the end elements;

end covers secured to the slanted end elements enclosing the ends of theframe;

ceiling panel means engaged between the side pieces,

end covers, and rails;

clip means connecting the side pieces to the adjacent bars of the gridstructure;

strap means interconnecting the spaced rails at spaced locations;

a fixture box dimensioned for disposition between the rails; and

fixture cover means mounted on the fixture box.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein:

the clip means comprise U-shaped elements engaged about the bar meansand about the side pieces.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,852,663 9/1958 Stulfer 240-9 XR3,051,430 8/1962 Halfaker 24078 XR 3,081,398 3/1963 Karth 240-93,155,324 11/1964 Chen 2409 3,343,310 9/1967 Netz et al 52484 XR3,352,071 11/1967 Sutter 2409 XR NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 52-28, 484

